October 7: "What Is Religion For?" - Rev. Michelle Tonozzi

Nine out of ten Unitarian Universalists come to our liberal way of religion after leaving a more conservative faith tradition. Most of us are very good at articulating what it is that we have said "no" to in religion - what we are against, but we often struggle with articulating what it is that we say "yes" to in religion - what it is that we are for. We say that every one is responsible for their own theology. What do we hold in common that we can say "yes" to?

This is First Sunday. Everyone is invited for Soup and Bread, conversation and fellowship, following the service. All are welcome.

Greeters: Michael and Jen Burr / Coffee: Chris Smith and Jim McNelly

Our speaker will be Mary Willette Hughes, poet, musician, wife, mother of seven, grandmother of nineteen, great-grandmother of one. Mary has published two books of poetry, Quilt Pieces and Flight on New Wings. For seven years she has worked as a facilitator of poetry therapy with the St. Cloud Hospital’s Recovery Plus program for addiction/recovery.

Betty’s Unitarian roots go back to Horace Mann, whose contributions to public education in the 19^th century are well known. She will share with us her experiences growing up Unitarian.

Cal, one of the founders of our Fellowship, will review our own history and the role Unitarianism Universalism has played in his life.

October 28: "On Being Good for Nothing" - Rev. Michelle Tonozzi

Our Calvinist forebears had a dim view of human nature. They held that human nature was inherently depraved, but for the grace of God. Unitarianism grew out of a view of human nature that held that human beings have freedom to choose good or evil. Do we need God to be good? Are we the makers of our own destiny? What's your view of human nature?

Greeters: Judy Foster and Randy Mork / Coffee: Mary Ness and Mary T. Howard